adminLovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee is keen to have the Region Five Games as qualifiers for future international competitions.
Michael Bulagango made the call in an interview on Saturday.
He was attending the Bulawayo Local Organising Committee for the Games set for December this year.
He said financial constraints had seen the country miss out on participating in a number of international events.
“At times we fail to participate at international events because we would not have qualified. Financial constraints have made it difficult for us to attend some of the qualifying meetings because there are now set standards.
“Sport for people with disabilities has evolved. It is now big business and there are qualifying standards to be met before we send teams to the World Championships or the Paralympic Games.
“So if we have the Region Five competitions as a qualifier we might have more of our athletes competing at major international events,” said Bulagango.
He said his organisation had consistently provided the country medals at the Region Five competitions which were known as the Zone Six Youth Games in the past.
Bulagango said the Zimbabwe National Youth Games sponsored by the government were not enough competition for those with disabilities.
“It’s just one major competition. Some of the club events we have cannot pass for a national competition because there is no enforcement of standards. Organisers do as they please, at least the Zimbabwe Paralympic Games are a measure of our strength at a national level and there is strict observance of rules and standards with a classifier engaged to look at that aspect,” said the ZNPC spokesperson.
He said competition should start at club level within the respective provinces.
“There must be sustained provincial and club activity throughout the year to ensure we continue to shine at the Region Five Games.
“Our athletes with visual impairment have continued to shine in the region and come December I have no doubt that they will deliver,” Bulagango said.
He expressed satisfaction with people now running the show in his discipline.
“In the past there was no unity, there were too many fights among ourselves and we could not achieve much.
“Now it’s better there is a sense of belonging and eagerness to push forward to benefit all those with sporting endeavours, sport has changed too, it’s now an industry with a potential to employ thousands,” said Bulagango.
derick.khumalo